National Prayer Breakfast: Inspiration

700 turn out for National Prayer Breakfast

The National Prayer Breakfast, San Angelo/G.A.F.B was held February 4, 2010 at the McNease Convention Center in San Angelo, Texas. Mike Flynt, author of "The Senior," was the keynote speaker. Flynt is on record as the oldest player in collegiate football at age 59, after a 37-year absence from the field. His speech detailed the journey in his life from being kicked off the team and out of school, finding inspiration to continue his dreams, resulting in the return to his love of football.

The Twin Mountain Tonemen's performance of "The Lord's Prayer" with scenes from the National Prayer Breakfast held February 4, 2010 at the McNease Convention Center in San Angelo, Texas.

Tommy Young, 7, gets a kiss from his father, Charles, during Tommy’s first National Prayer Breakfast at the McNease Convention Center, Thursday.

Photos by Cynthia Esparza/Standard-Times

Col. David Rearick prays during the annual National Prayer Breakfast at the McNease Convention Center in San Angelo.

Bill Wyatt and his wife, Patti, pray with approximately 700 attendees at the National Prayer Breakfast in San Angelo.

Cynthia Esparza/Standard-Times

Harriet Sansone (middle) sings along during the national anthem at the National Prayer Breakfast in San Angelo.

Cynthia Esparza/Standard-Times

The Goodfellow Air Force Base color guard prepares to present the colors at the National Prayer Breakfast at the McNease Convention Center in San Angelo.

Cynthia Esparza/Standard-Times

Bill Wyatt and his wife, Patti, pray with approximately 700 attendees at the National Prayer Breakfast in San Angelo.

Cynthia Esparza/Standard-Times

SAN ANGELO, Texas - About 700 people from all walks of life — elementary to college students, members of the military, community leaders, elected officials and football fans — broke from their weekday morning routines to pray and get inspired at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in San Angelo.

The faithful, who started arriving at the McNease Convention Center at 6 a.m., munched on bananas and blueberry muffins or biscuits and sausage gravy at tables decorated with red and blue western bandannas. Teenagers in House of Faith T-shirts circulated among the round tables, topping up foam cups of coffee.

The event, which has been celebrated in San Angelo for 16 years, is part of a nationwide prayer movement that began in Washington, D.C., in 1953.

This year's keynote speaker holds a special place in the hearts of West Texans.

Mike Flynt, author of "The Senior," said he was the oldest college football player in NCAA history when he returned to Sul Ross State University in 2007 to play out his senior year of eligibility.

The story of how the Odessa native was kicked off his winning team for fighting, only to return 37 years later as a 59-year-old, drew national attention and inspired the members of Thursday's audience, many of whom had come especially to hear him speak.

San Angelo schools Superintendent Carol Ann Bonds said 80 students from Central High School and 50 from Lake View High School chose "to come hear a man talk about life." Members of the advisory committee sponsored the students for the $5 breakfast, she said.

"If you don't believe in yourself, you'll be your greatest opponent in your lifetime," Flynt said, talking about what it took to even try out for the team alongside 18-year-old athletes.

Flynt, a fitness professional who worked as a strength coach for universities and who had invented a piece of training equipment, said the Sul Ross coaches gave him the opportunity to right his "greatest regret."

He was kicked out of Sul Ross for fighting, something his father had started him in with weekly boxing sessions when he was a child, he said.

"Football was all I had. I went to class to stay eligible to play football," he said.

After Sul Ross, he moved to Austin and met and married his wife, Eileen, who he said introduced him to Jesus.

He learned "to trust God every step of the way."

He spoke about people who are negative, who discourage people from following their dreams.

"Peer pressure at any age is a powerful, powerful weapon against you," Flynt said.

Lake View High student Hootie Shaffer said coach Ben Lyons had encouraged him and others at the school to make the effort to hear Flynt.

"I thought it was inspirational," the 16-year-old said.

Shaffer, who is planning to join the Marines after high school, said the story would help motivate him in the future.

Angelo State University students Tanner Jacobs, Joshua Neiswander and Nate Bayless also came to hear a fellow football player's message. All three have played football for ASU.

Jacobs, who is graduating in May with a degree in kinesiology, said he had read Flynt's book, "so I kind of knew what to expect."

Bayless, a junior, said it was an inspiring story.

"He definitely touched the lives of people of all ages with his God-given ability to share with everybody," said Neiswander, also a junior,

Lori Francks, chairwoman of San Angelo's National Prayer Breakfast Advisory Board, said the celebration went well.

"I'm pleased that this many people came out this morning to worship God, pray for our leaders and hear Mike," she said.